Finely coodinated bigger defender with excellent feet with nice puck skills. His high end skating skills will get him selected early, because he skates well in four directions and it takes him no more than three steps to get to top barreling speed. He surprises with high end bursts from the boards past defenders in the open seam before they realize he has done it. His feet are deceptive, and his body lean gives the impression he is walking the blue line one way and then he pinches. wouldn't be catagorized as a creative attacker, but there is time to hone that aspect since his feet and chippiness get him to the bigs quicker than most. Defensively, he closes gaps and angles attackers to the outside or the boards. Plays with grit ands loves phyically engage with opposing forwards and try and throw them off their game. Besides the brilliant footwork to time his thunderous hits, he likes to do as much as he can get away with in his harassment and intimidation of opponents, looking for them to go nuts, and be the one that get whistled by the zebras. It isn't all that under the radar and it results in penalties to him. An excellent passer and that, along with speed, aids his escaping pressure. He will, under pressure, lean to bad instincts in transitions. Is very comfortable on the right side of the defense as well as playing the left side. Has a accurate shot and playing on the right lets him drift in and let it go with his blade closer to the goal. Lots to like. He needs more lower strength and his hockey sense will continue to grow with his play of his position.
--Bill Plazcek--
